PATNA: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has given its nod to issue Letter of Award (LoA) to Ceigall India Limited and YFC-JV for construction of the four-lane Danapur-Bihta elevated road. "We will soon issue the LoA to the selected companies and its time duration will start from the day of signing the contract agreement. The project will be completed in two years," said Awadhesh Kumar, regional officer (RO) of NHAI.The length of the road would be 23.5km and width 28 meters, while a 8-lane toll plaza will also be constructed on the elevated road, which will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 3,131 crore. "It is an extension of Koilwar-Buxar four-lane. The proposed road will improve connectivity and ease congestion between Patna and the proposed Bihta International Airport, and further Buxar and Koilwar via Bihta. It will take only two hours to reach Purvanchal Expressway, covering a distance of 120km from Patna, while Patna to New Delhi distance in just 8-9 hours," Kumar said.According to Kumar, bypass will also be made at four places between Shiwala and Bihta. It will be constructed at Neuraganj, Panal, Kanhauli and Vishanpura. An at-grade link road has also been provided to reach Bihta airport from this elevated road. Apart from this, ramps will be constructed at four places in the distance of 21km from Danapur to Bihta. "Vehicles coming from Saguna Mor will be able to join the elevated road near Danapur Railway station. Similarly, near Bihta airport at Shiwala turn and Bihta-Sarmera highway, from where one can go on the elevated road," Kumar added.Total 69 acres of land is to be required for the construction of Danapur-Bihta elevated road. Out of this, about 10 acres of land belongs to the railways, which is near Danapur station. The agriculture department has about 5 acres of land in Patsa Mauza near Bihta. Five acres are government land. Apart from this, the rest of the land has to be acquired. "A 600-metre tunnel will be constructed at Kanhauli. Tunnel is proposed for free movement of traffic coming from Patna leading to the proposed Bihta airport," said Amrendra Kumar, executive engineer of road construction department (RCD).

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